Thursday, July 29, 2010

“I just like being out on the golf course. It's a place where I can enjoy some peace and quiet. When I go to the supermarket or the dry-cleaners, it's crazy, but when I'm out on the course on a beautiful day with the water and tall trees — I just enjoy it.” Charles Barkley

Fair enough. Barkley is a typical golfer in the fact that he enjoys getting out on the course to relax. The way he's different is the fact that he may possibly be the worst golfer in golf history.

We have all seen his swing over and over and know that he worked with Hank Haney to try and improve.

Unfortunately, nothing has worked as of yet so he's moved on to the next tactic.

Traditionally a right-hander, he hit his driver and fairway woods left-handed at the American Century Charity Tournament, hit most of his iron shots right-handed and hit a few iron shots using only his right hand.

Yes, you heard correctly. Some shots right handed, some left handed, and some one handed.

Maybe this experiment will work. And maybe I'll shoot 54 tomorrow.

Haney believes it may be possible though. He says he'll be working with Charles to become a permanent left handed player.

In 2008, he predicted he would rival Tiger. "Don't get me wrong, I really respect every professional golfer, but I know I haven't played to my full potential and when that happens, it will be just me and Tiger."

Oh really. Huh. Since then, Tiger has 10 PGA wins including a major and Poulter has 1 win on Tour.

And his latest:

"The American guys who have won all the tournaments over the past few years are getting older. Phil Mickelson is 40 – can he do what Vijay Singh did in his 40s? He's strong enough; it's whether he is hungry enough, I guess.

"The talent in America to replace them is very young and needs a bit more experience, so we have a 15-year window. The Americans have a gap and that gap is being filled by European guys right now, guys who are in their late 20s, early 30s and who are doing the job right now.

"In five years' time we should have taken a few majors. I don't want to put a number on it but the English guys that are in the top 40 in the world are all capable of winning them. It's for us to go out there and prove it but we can certainly win one or two a year, for sure."

He is right that there are several English players in the top 10 and they have been getting closer to winning majors, however, to say that they have a 15 year gap is absurd.

He is asking if Phil Mickelson is hungry enough? He just won the Masters genius.

Only time will tell if Ian "1 PGA win" Poulter, Paul "triple bogey at every major" Casey, or Lee "runner up" Westwood can get it done in a major.

It has definitely been a weird season so far on the PGA. No one could ever have predicted Tiger would have no wins and McDowell and Oosthuizen would have major victories. Mickelson's win at the Masters was exciting but other than that, it's been a pretty bland year.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

According to the engineers who designed this tool, it is different from the millions of others out there in three ways.

1. Short tooth design - This tool has an abutment which prohibits the teeth from being inserted too far. This repair method involves just three or four diagonal pushes around the perimeter of the divot. Divots repaired this way heal faster.

2. Price - Purchased in quantities of 5000 or more, the price is .25 cents. At this price, they can be given away for free or sold inexpensively at the counter.

3. Advertising - For approximately .25 cents more, the tools can be labeled with full color vinyl stickers that adhere to the polycarbonate tool and last a long time.

I tried this out last time I played and although it took a little while to get adjusted to the shorter teeth, it still worked just fine.

This product is not a bad idea if you need an inexpensive way to market your own business or product.

For the true golf geeks out there, The Story of Golf is a must see documentary about.... drum roll please...... the story of golf.

It's three hours and takes you through the history of the game starting with medieval times in Europe all the way to modern day.

Hosted by Rich Lerner of the golf channel, it provides film of the world's most famous golf courses, the most memorable moments and performances throughout history, as well as details changes in equipment, course architecture, and the rules of the game.

The story also provides looks at the games greatest players including Jones, Sarazen, Snead, Hogan, Zaharias, Palmer, Player, Nicklaus, Norman, and Woods.

For any golfer interested in learning about the history of the game, this is a top quality DVD on the subject.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

"The strategy of this golf course is respect for the bunkers. That's the whole key to this place."Nick Faldo, three time British Open champion

St. Andrews has 112 bunkers with names such as hell bunker, coffin, stroke, the beardies, and of course the infamous road hole bunker. The bunkers are sure to come into play this week, especially with the forecast calling for a lot of wind and rain.

Many players in the past have had their tournament hopes ruined because they ended up in the wrong place.

In 1995, Jack Nicklaus took four shots to get out of the hell bunker on the 14th hole and ended up with a 10 for the hole. Hell Bunker

In 1978, Tommy Nakijima was in contention before hitting his ball into the road hole bunker where he made a 9, ending his hopes.

In 2000, David Duval took two attempts out of the road hole bunker before hitting the ball out backwards.

Road Hole Bunker (looks like fun)

On a successful note, we can always look to Tiger Woods, who in 2000 did not hit his ball into one bunker, which is ridiculous but not surprising from him.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Sweet Wood Golf is a "luxury golf" manufacturer specializing in hickory shafted clubs, distinct leather goods and retro apparel. Founded in 2006, the company began it's mission to seamlessly combine classic elements with modern technology thus creating its own unique product mix.

Clients include golfers who have "everything", benefit & celebrity golf outings, corporate branding programs and more. With customization options (engraving, embossing & embroidery) for the vast majority of their products all items become truly original and personalized.

With original offerings from bags, wedges, chippers, exotic wood putters and of course Performance Hickory Shafted Irons (Soft Carbon Steel, Leather Slip On Grips, 100% Hickory Shaft), Sweet Wood Golf Company offers the fans of classic golf equipment many options to restore that traditional look and feel back into the game of golf. For more information please visit: www.SweetWoodGolf.com or call 301 296 4426.

Here is another top notch location for a golf vacation or as they call it overseas, a holiday.Hilton Head Golf appears to offer anything you could want out of a golf vacation. According to Golf Digest readers, Hilton Head is the 10th best golf resort area in the world. It features oceanfront courses, riverside courses, courses that meander through maritime forests, courses beside vast tidal marshes, courses with lakes and lagoons, and courses designed by several noted PGA players and course designers. Book your tee times at hilton head tee times.

In addition to the golf, there is no shortage of great places to stay. The island features one-bedroom villas to eight-bedroom mansions, and ResortQuest Hilton Head Island can book it for you. The company has 450 villas and homes all over the 42-square-mile island, with a large portion in Sea Pines Resort, which features some of the best golf anywhere. "Our purpose is to provide an excellent experience for our guests," said Robert Stenhammer, general manager.

If you actually get tired of golfing, you will find Hilton Head is also a top tennis destination, as well as a great area for fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and laying out at the beach.